The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) number 1 has been raised in six areas as Tropical Depression “Crising” maintains its strength and slightly slows down while moving towards Surigao del Sur-Davao Oriental area.
In its severe weather bulletin issued Thursday, May 13 at 8 a.m., PAGASA said that Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao City are currently under signal no. 1.
“Crising” is expected to make landfall between Thursday night (May 13) and early morning (Friday, May 14). Prior to its expected landfall, PAGASA said that “Crising” will also bring moderate to heavy rains in these areas.
PAGASA estimated the location of “Crising” at 405 kilometers east of Davao City around 7 a.m. The tropical depression also has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph as it moves westward at 15 kph.
Strong breeze to near gale conditions, PAGASA said, is “likely over the localities where signal number 1 is in effect” - especially in the coastal and mountainous areas.
Under these conditions, PAGASA said that “isolated to scattered flooding” - which include flash floods and rain-induced landslides - are “possible during heavy or prolonged rainfall” especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps.
“Adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels,” PAGASA added.
Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas will also be experienced over the eastern seaboard of Mindanao in the next 24 hours due to the influence of “Crising.”
‘Crising’ likely to remain as a tropical depression prior to landfall
While a “slight intensification” remains possible, PAGASA said that “Crising” is forecast to remain as a tropical depression prior to landfall based on its forecast track.
“Crising” is also forecast to “weaken into a remnant low” on Sunday, May 16, while passing over Palawan and dissipate shortly afterwards.
“However, due to the expected deterioration in the circulation of the tropical depression while traversing Mindanao, there is a possibility that the ‘Crising’ may weaken into a remnant low within in the next 36 to 48 hours,” PAGASA added.